Climate Adaptation

Our climate is changing. Summers are becoming hotter and drier, and heavy rainfall is increasing. This can cause nuisance. Such nuisance can be mitigated by adapting our living environment. We call this adaptation climate adaptation.

Example of climate adaptation

A simple example of climate adaptation is replacing hard surfaces, such as paving stones, with greenery. If a garden has many paving stones, rainwater cannot easily seep into the ground, which can lead to flooding. Paving stones also retain heat. Trees, shrubs, and plants ensure that rainwater can easily seep into the ground. Additionally, greenery provides cooling through evaporation and shade on hot and dry days.

Climate adaptation policy of the Municipality of Voorschoten

The climate adaptation policy for the Municipality of Voorschoten was adopted in 2023. This policy outlines the measures for Voorschoten to mitigate the consequences of climate change. The municipality incorporates climate-adaptive measures as much as possible during redesigns, new constructions, or sewer replacements. DENK of the construction of wadis (a green trench for temporary water storage), disconnecting rainwater collection from the sewer system, or installing permeable paving in areas such as parking lots.

You can find the climate adaptation policy at the bottom of this page. 

Neighbourhood meetings

During a meeting, we’ll discuss together what’s needed to better protect the neighborhood from heat, drought, and flooding—in other words, how to make a neighborhood climate-resilient. Think of solutions to flooding caused by heavy rain. Or think of ways to make neighbourhood greener and cooler.

Neighbourhood plan

Following a neighbourhood meeting, we draft a neighbourhood plan. This outlines what needs to be done to make the neighbourhood climate-resilient. We look at what we can do as a municipality, as well as measures that residents can take themselves. The first neighbourhood plans can be found at the bottom of this page.

What can you do yourself?

Residents of Voorschoten can also take action to reduce heat and water nuisance. Residents are responsible for their own private property. There are various ways for you as a neighbour to get started. More information can be found on our Steenbreek page.

More information

Documents